What students, parents and guardians need to know
At Jason Lee, we want every student to feel safe and welcome so that they can learn and thrive. Along with our culture and behavioral expectations, the following guidelines help make this possible.
Enter and depart the school building through the main doors in the front of the building. Students should not be on campus (including the park and playing fields) after dismissal, unless participating in or attending a school-sponsored event.
Personal safety to and from school
- Always travel with a friend. Strangers usually pick one person, not two.
- If a car follows you or beckons you while you are walking, do not approach the car. Instead, turn and quickly walk in the other direction.
- If you think you are in danger, yell and run to the nearest store, home or back to school.
- Avoid strangers who seem to be hanging around public restrooms or school campus. Tell your teacher or another adult you trust about it.
- If you’re ever in a situation that makes you feel uncomfortable in any way, you have the right to say no, loud and clear, then leave.
- Always stick to the safe route in going to and coming from school. Never hitchhike!
- If you are approached inappropriately, be sure to report to an adult and/or call 911 immediately.
Emergency Drills
- Safety drills are required monthly throughout the school year. The object of these drills is to safely practice how to respond in an emergency situation as quickly as possible.
Evacuation Drills
- The object of evacuation drills is to clear the building as quickly as possible with no disorder. Fire drill & evacuation actions are posted in the classrooms. Students are directed to walk quickly to the designated area to exit. Teachers will turn off the lights, close the doors, and accompany their classes as they leave the building. Students are expected to walk with their classes to the field and wait QUIETLY for the “all clear” signal (i.e. bell ringing) before returning.
Hold, Secure, or Lockdown Drills
- In a hold, students will clear the hallways and remain in the classroom or other secure location until an all clear is announced.
- In a secure, students will remain inside the building with outside doors locked and do business as usual.
- In a lockdown, students will move away from sight in a secure classroom or location, maintain silence, and keep the doors closed & locked.
- Shelter Drills: Students will use the appropriate safety strategy for the hazard, including drop, cover, and hold
(earthquake), get to high ground (tsunami), evacuate to shelter area (tornado), or seal the room
(hazmat).
Health room and the school nurse
The health room is for students who are ill and/or need first-aid treatment. A student wishing to go to the health room must obtain a pass from his/her classroom teacher. No student will be admitted to the health room without a pass, except in emergencies. Students should not go to the health room between classes but should report to class first. Students should not expect to spend long periods of time in the health room. If a student doesn’t feel well, he/she will need to go home. No medications (including Tylenol or Motrin) can be given to a student without a doctor’s note. All medications must be checked in by an adult to the school’s staff. If you have questions about medications in school, you may contact the school nurse.
Any of the following may be considered cheating and may result in loss of credit, parent notification and progressive discipline: copying another student’s work, copying word for word without stating the source or using unauthorized notes on a test.
Public displays of affection are discouraged at Jason Lee. Only brief hugs or hand-holding is permitted at school.
Disruptive behavior or other inappropriate behavior, especially when it interferes with the educational process, will not be tolerated.
Harassment, bullying and intimidation are defined as repeated threats or acts of physical, verbal (which includes oral, written and electronically transmitted) or emotional abuse, or attacks on the property of another, which have the effect of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive learning environment, or unreasonably interfering with an individual’s educational opportunities. Bullying may include, but is not limited to taunts, slurs, name-calling (even in play), drawings, cartoons, ostracism, extortion of money or damage/destruction of another’s possessions.
Students must obey the lawful instructions of school personnel. Following directions, cooperating with staff, identifying self immediately and complying with rules are expected of all students.
In order to keep safe orderly behavior in the hallways, the following are expectations for passing time and common area behaviors for students:
- Walk at all times with hands and feet to self.
- Leave others’ belongings alone.
- Keep to the right in hallways and through entry and exit doors, and use quiet voices inside the building.
- During breakfast and lunch, all food and drink must be consumed in the cafeteria.
- No drinks, other than water, are allowed in the classroom.
- Unsafe and/or uncooperative behavior in the hallways or common areas may result in progressive discipline.
Students who wish to ride a bus to/from school with another student must bring a signed note from a parent to Jason Lee’s office. The student will receive a form, signed by an administrator, that will allow the student to ride a bus that is not theirs.
Bus stops are to be treated like school property, and students should conduct themselves and their behavior within the limits of what is appropriate at school.
- The driver is in full charge of the bus and students. Students must obey the driver promptly and willingly (administrators shall assist the driver in enforcing the transportation regulations).
- Outside of ordinary conversation, classroom conduct must be observed.
- Students are to assist in keeping the bus clean by keeping their waste paper off the floor. Students must also refrain from throwing trash out of the windows. Eating is not allowed.
- No student will smoke or light a fire on the bus.
- No student shall open a window on the school bus without first getting permission from the driver.
- No student shall at any time extend his/her head, hands or arms out of the windows, whether the school bus is in motion or standing still.
- Students must see that they have nothing in their possession that may cause injury to another, such as sticks, breakable containers, straps or pins extending from their clothing.
- Students must see that their books and personal belongings are kept out of the aisle.
- No student will be allowed to talk to the driver more than is necessary.
- Students are to remain seated while the bus is in motion and are not to get on or off the bus until it has come to a full stop.
- Students must leave the bus in an orderly manner. They must not cross the road until given consent by the school bus driver.
- Self-discipline should be exercised by students at the bus loading area. Students should refrain from pushing and shoving other students.
- Students’ misconduct on a bus will be sufficient reason to discontinue providing bus transportation to those students involved.
- In the event of an actual emergency, emergency exit procedures, as established by the emergency exit drills, will be followed.
- Parents of students damaging school buses will be responsible for proper reimbursement to the school district.
Regulation of Student Dress and Grooming
A. The principal, in connection with the sponsor, coach, or other person in charge of an extracurricular
activity, may regulate the dress and grooming of students who participate in the activity if the principal
reasonably believes that the student’s dress or grooming:
1. Creates a hazard to the student’s safety or to the safety of others; or
2. Will prevent, interfere with or adversely affect the purpose, direction, or effort required for the
activity to achieve its goals.
B. If the student’s dress or grooming is objectionable under these provisions, the principal will request that
the student make appropriate corrections. If the student refuses, the principal will notify the parent, if
reasonably possible, and request that the parent make the necessary correction. If both the student
and parent refuse, the principal will take appropriate action, which may include discipline. Students
may be suspended, if circumstances so warrant. Students who violate provisions of the dress code
relating to extracurricular activities may be removed or excluded from the extracurricular activity for
such period as the principal may determine. All students will be accorded due process safeguards
before any discipline may be taken.
C. Students identified as being gang involved, influenced or affiliated will be provided assistance and/or
programs which discourage gang involvement or affiliation, enhance self-esteem, encourage interest
and participation in school or other positive activities and promote membership in authorized school
organizations.
Computers are provided for educational use. Students who attempt to access inappropriate websites; disable filters; and/or download music, videos or pictures will be subject to the loss of computer privileges. Technology rules are posted for students to see and review each time they log in. Do not share passwords with others, or let them use your account!
Electronic devices
Cell Phones & Electronic Devices
● Cell phones & earbuds should be off and away when students enter the classroom.
● Possession of a cell phone by a student on school district property is considered a privilege and can be
revoked if necessary.
● Parents and families: Please refrain from texting your student throughout the school day as this
becomes a disruption to the learning environment. Emergency messages can be communicated by
calling our school office and we will get the message to your student.
● Students may use non-school issued electronic devices (cell phones) before school and during lunch
and passing times. Electronic devices and headphones should be put away upon entering the
classroom.
● External speakers are not allowed on campus.
● Under no circumstances should students record and/or take photos of other students or adults at
school without permission. Stopping as a bystander and recording a fight at school and/or distributing a
photo/video of an incident by text or on social media will result in a suspension.
● The student who possesses personal electronics assumes responsibility for its care and whereabouts.
At no time is the school or district responsible for a theft, its recovery, or damage to an
electronic device.
1:1 devices
Jason Lee and Vancouver Public Schools will assign students a laptop computer for use both at school and home as a means to promote achievement and provide flexible learning opportunities.
Our expectation and belief is that students will responsibly use district technology and that they understand the appropriate and acceptable use of both the technology and district network resources. We also expect that students will make a good faith effort to keep their district-issued devices safe, secure and in good working order.
Families need to be aware that Jason Lee Middle School will not accept deliveries of flowers, balloons, gifts, etc. for students. Additionally, students are discouraged from bringing these items to school for other students. Having those items in class is a distraction to the learning environment.
We appreciate the desire to make a student’s day special but ask that families celebrate important events at home. These items are also not allowed on VPS buses.
The school district cannot purchase insurance to cover stolen items that have been left and/or lost at school. Students assume responsibility for district property that is checked out to them and are responsible for its replacement if lost or stolen. This includes (but is not limited to) textbooks, instruments and library books.
Guns and look-alike guns such as soft pellet guns, any kind of knives or weapons are never to be brought to school by anyone. If a student brings any one of these items to school it could result in an emergency expulsion, expulsion from school and arrest of the student. Laser pointers can be considered weapons and will be confiscated immediately. Consequences may be provided by the administration.
Due to safety concerns and allergies, aerosol products/cans, including colognes, perfumes and deodorants also are not allowed at school.